Sales & Sales Operations Manager (d/f/m)

About InCycling

Every year, €26 billion worth of perfectly usable chemical raw materials are destroyed, generating millions of tonnes of avoidable CO₂ emissions and hazardous waste. Not because the material lacks value, but because no system exists to capture and manage it systematically. InCycling is changing that.

We are a software startup in the chemical industry. We connect surplus chemicals and raw materials from producers with the buyers who can use them, and our own platform, with SAP integration, automated regulatory workflows and AI-based matching, takes care of what usually makes these deals hard: compliance, documentation, matching and logistics. We are live with global, DAX-tier enterprise pilots across more than 10 production sites in over 10 countries, and our deal pipeline is well filled with 600+ tons of material. You would join at the moment where the foundation you build defines how the business scales.

Tasks

The role

You will own our surplus material sales channel end to end: chemical and pharmaceutical raw materials, sourced and sold worldwide. Reporting directly to one of our founders, you run the process from lead to delivery: finding opportunities, getting material released and ready for sale, building relationships, negotiating and closing, and making sure what was agreed ships on time and in full.

This is a people business built on substances, run with software we build ourselves. A batch of material comes with a specification, a shelf life, a safety data sheet and a regulatory pathway, and it changes hands between people and companies who need to trust each other. You do not need to be a chemist, but you need to understand why a drum of chemicals with a limited shelf life and safety documentation is a different sale than a software subscription.

We are a startup, and that shapes how we work. Our platform and AI tools are your daily equipment, and what you learn in real deals flows straight back to the teams building them. You do not need to code, but you need to enjoy working with latest software tools and be curious about what it can do for you.

What you'll do

• Generate new surplus material sales leads and build a healthy, sustainable pipeline
• Build and maintain relationships with corporate producers, traders, brokers and end customers across global markets
• Negotiate buying and selling conditions directly with your counterparts, sensing how far a deal can flex while still getting done
• Drive the sales process yourself, with diligent tracking of every interaction in our CRM (HubSpot)
• Make sure deliveries are planned and executed on time and in full, worldwide, and turn first purchases into long-term, repeat business
• Put our platform and AI tools to work in real deals and feed what you learn back to our development team
• Represent InCycling at trade exhibitions and industry events, and co-create our sales and sales operations processes

Requirements

What we're looking for

• Several years of professional experience, ideally related to our field: the chemical, pharmaceutical or a related industry, for example in distribution, trading, procurement, supply chain, quality or regulatory, or technical sales. Alternatively, a degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmacy or a related discipline combined with clear commercial ambition.
• An understanding of how substances behave commercially, or the will to acquire it quickly: specifications, shelf life, documentation, hazardous goods, regulatory requirements
• A genuine sales instinct: strong customer acquisition, relationship management and negotiation skills, and comfort closing agreements with senior stakeholders that work for both sides
• Intercultural business experience, especially across Asia, MENA and Western markets
• Fluent business English is essential; German is a plus, other languages are welcome
• Ease with software as part of your daily work: you pick up new tools quickly, use a CRM and AI assistants as a matter of course, and like giving feedback that makes them better
• Comfort with the pace and ambiguity of an early-stage company, and willingness to travel (up to around 15%)
• A self-motivated, reliable and trustworthy personality who wants to build something and grow with it. In our line of business, trust, reliability and compliance are essential.

Nice to have: hands-on experience with CRM systems and sales performance tracking, and an existing network among chemical distributors or surplus, off-spec and by-product traders and brokers.

Benefits

What we offer

• A competitive base salary plus a performance-based bonus
• The opportunity to build our surplus material business from the ground up, with what you learn from customers visibly shaping what we build next
• A small, highly collaborative team, fast decision-making, and direct access to both founders, the tech leadership team and leading advisors in go-to-market and chemical trading
• Modern tools and an AI-assisted way of working, so your time goes into customers and deals instead of admin
• A mission-driven company reducing waste and CO₂ emissions in the chemical industry, with a culture built on ownership, collaboration and continuous learning
• Urban Sports Club membership or a mobility budget, plus access to corporate employee benefits platforms

A note on the contract: we start with a 26-month engagement tied to our current funding cycle, with every intention of building a long-term journey together as InCycling grows.

Location and working model

The role is based in Erfurt and offers a flexible hybrid working model, giving you the freedom to combine remote work with regular time together with the team on-site. Occasional travel to our Berlin headquarters is also part of the role.

You need a valid work permit for Germany. We cannot sponsor visas or support relocation, but you do not need to live in Thuringia, Germany yet if you are willing to move on your own initiative.

Who we welcome

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, gender identities, ages, origins, beliefs and abilities who believe in our mission. If you do not match every point above but believe you can do this job, please apply: perfect candidates do not exist, but wonderful colleagues do.